Published on 5 février 2012
on The Gazette
on The Gazette
Plan Nord: Jean Charest says half of northern Quebec will be protected
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MAJOR PROJECTS
The Project of a Generation
The North Plan is conceivably the most ambitious development project in the history of Quebec. Announced by Premier Jean Charest in September of 2008, it is the first fully articulated vision of Quebec's northern potential. For the portion of Quebec's territory North of the 49 th parallel is unimaginably vast: a million square kilometres, twice the area of France, 70% of Quebec's.
This plan represents a major challenge: developing the territory responsibly, in close cooperation with local communities and uncompromising respect for the environment. It is also inspired by a vast potential, still mostly untapped: energy, mining and tourism. This potential is a huge asset, a source of wealth for all regions and a contribution to the public chest, allowing us to reduce drop out rates, waiting lists or accumulated public debt.
Since the Plan's introduction, investment projects have come thick and fast: $106 millions to upgrade 14 northern airports; $698 millions to repair Route 389 and extend our road network towards the diamond deposits of the Otish Mountains; the creation of 5 provincial parks by 2011, the first of which, the Kuururjuaq Park, is already open; and the launch of the Romaine hydroelectric complex, one of the world's largest projects. In addition to hydro power, Quebec will be the first to experiment with wind power in northern latitudes.
Northern Quebec is currently served by 26 public airports and 6 private ones, 14 seaports and 5 rail lines. To accelerate social and economic development across the territory, those nodes must be linked together.
On its own, the Romaine hydroelectric complex will generate 1550 MW of clean energy and provide work to thousand of Quebecers for a decade. Hydro-Quebec has plans for an additional 3500 MW in new energy projects.
Eversince Lesage and Bourassa, from the James Bay Convention to the North Plan, the Quebec Liberal Party remained faithful to the same vision: develop all of Quebec’s territory, and do it responsibly. So planning now proceeds in close collaboration with local communities, who have a say in investment priorities, while the government is committed to shelter no less than half the northern territory from any industrial development.
Your comments
WHAT THEY SAID
« We are pleased that Mr. Charest reaffirmed a steadfast course for Quebec's future, and has embarked upon a bold new model for conservation of the boreal forest. It is our hope that under his leadership, the Plan Nord will become a global example for conservation, sustainable development, and respect for aboriginal people and cultures. »
Mathew Jacobson
Manager, Pew Environment Group
February 23rd
« Quebec province, anticipating continued strong growth for its natural resources, has rolled out an ambitious 25-year plan to develop its vast but sparsely settled northern and Arctic regions. »
Ian Austen
Journalist, New York Times
May 9th 2011
« There are no models for this type of conservation planning on such a grand scale. Just the 50 percent proposed to be withdrawn from industrial activities would be the equivalent of more than double our entire U.S. National Park system. »
Mathew Jacobson
Manager, Pew Environment Group
May 9th 2011
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Have you consulted ?
Jean Charest was born in Sherbrooke on June 24, 1958. He was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1981 and began his career as an attorney [...]
Bonaventure
Damien Arsenault was born in St-Elzéar on the 20th of November 1960. He completed his high school education and went on to obtain a diploma [...]
Pierre Arcand began his career as a journalist in Montreal. In 1978, he was named News Director at CKAC and the Télémédia network. From th [...]
Sam Hamad’s experience combines business activities and involvement in many community groups. A trained engineer, his master’s degrees in E [...]
Geoffrey Kelley held several positions in politics, in particular Chief of Staff to the Deputy Premier and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, [...]
An experienced manager, Mrs. Nicole Ménard has spent nearly four decades working for BMO Bank of Montreal, where she was a Vice-President f [...]
Mr. Simard has obtained a diploma in organizations management from Université Laval in 1998. He has worked at Mouvement Desjardins for 30 [...]
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